Detachable automatic action for pianos.



'PATENTED MAR. 31, 1908.

N0.'sss,252.

, n. A. STEEL.

DBTAGHABLE AUTOMATIC ACTION FOR PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21; 1907.

f/VVEJVYWH, wARaA. mzzz I wzryssams' E an IRS :IASHINGTON D C aw/ gmUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. STEEL, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE FARRAND COMPANY,OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

DETACHABLE AUTOMATIC ACTION FOR PIANOS.

Application filed September 21, 1907.

Specification of Letters Patent.

citizen of the United States of America, re-

siding at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Detachable AutomaticActions for Pianos, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to automatic pianos, and consists in the novelconstruction of the detachable automatic action, with more articularreference to the means employec for adjusting said action to the hammeraction of the instrument.

In the construction of automatic pianos, it is necessary to so arrangethe automatic action that access may be obtained to the piano actionwhenever necessary for tuning or repair. The most convenient positionfor the ocation of the automatic action is above the keyboard and infront of the hammer action of the iano, but when thus located access canon y be obtained to the piano action proper by first removing theautomatic action. As this automatic action must be delicately adjustedin relation to the piano action, it is difficult to remove and replaceit without disturbing the adjustment.

In the present construction, I have provided means of attachment for theautomatic action which will permit of its adjustment to the piano actionafter attachment to the case, and which will permit of removal andreplacement as often as desired without disturbing this adjustment.

In the drawingsFigure 1 is a perspective view of one end of the action,illustrating the attaching and adjusting means therefor; Fig. 2 is anelevation of the opposite end of the action; and Fig. 3 is adiagrammatic plan view of the action, as mounted in the piano case.

A is the action frame, which may be of any suitable construction, andupon which the usual parts of the action are mounted. At one end of thisframe is secured a bracket B, comprising two members C and D, the latterbeing directly attached to the action. These members arelaterally'adjustable in relation to each other preferably by providingscrew threaded studs E engaging the member C and swiveled in the memberD are collars upon the studs E providing means for rotating the studs toadjust the members C and D. The members are further connected by theslotted arm E on the member D, which is secured by the bolt G to themember C. The attachment between the member D and the action frame issuch as to permit a relatively vertical adjustment. As shown, the memberD is in the form of an angle bar, having one flange II slotted at I andsecured to the frame A by screws J passing through said slots. K is ascrew threaded shank, engaging a correspondingly threaded apertured lugL on the member D, and having a swiveled engagement with a bracket Mfixedly attached to the frame A. Thus, by adjusting the threaded shanksE and K, the action frame may be adjusted either laterally or verticallyin relation to the bracket member C. On the opposite end of the actionframe is arranged a corresponding bracket N, having a stud Kcorresponding to the stud K, and having an angle member D correspondingto the member D. In lace of the threaded shanks E, the member l) isrovid ed with plain shanks E, which sliding y engage bearings in thecooperating bracket member C. The brackets C C are attached to theopposite sides of the piano case by means of'permanently attachedbrackets O on the case, and having laterally extending studs P, whichengage apertures in the brackets. Q are thumb screws for clamping thebrackets on the studs P.

With the construction as described, in first mounting the action in thecase it is only necessary in securing the brackets O to posi tion themin relation to the vertical plane of the hammer action. The brackets Cand C may then be secured to the studs P on said brackets O, after whichthe studs E E and K K may be adjusted to raise or lower the action andto adjust it otherwise. This would permit of accurately adjusting thepneumatic action to the hammer action and when adjusted, by tighteningthe screws J and G,

' the parts will be held permanently in this re lation. Whenever it isdesired to remove the action, it is only necessary to loosen the thumbnuts Q and disengage the brackets C C from the studs P.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an automatic piano, the combination with a case and the pianoaction therein, of an automatic action, a detachable mounting for saidautomatic action within said case, and means on said mounting foradjustin said automatic action while attached to said case in relationto the piano action.

2. In an automatic piano, the combination with a case and a piano actiontherein, of an automatic action, supporting end brackets for saidautomatic action detachably secured to said case, and means ofadjustment between said action and brackets, for the purpose described.

3. In an automatic piano, the combination with an automatic action, ofan adjustable mounting therefor comprising members permanently attachedto the opposite sides of the piano case, brackets detachably clamped tosaid members, and connections between said brackets and said actionpermitting of vertical and longitudinal adjustment of the latter.

4. In an automatic piano, the combina tion with an automatic action, ofan adjustable mounting therefor comprising a bracket formed of twomembers, one of said members being secured to the action, a screwthreaded stud connecting said members for adjusting the one in relationto the other longitudinally of the action, and means for adjusting saidaction member vertically in relation to the action.

5. In an automatic piano, the combination with an automatic action, ofan adjustable mounting therefor comprising a bracket formed of twomembers lon itudinally adjustable in relation to each ot er, a threadedshank for adjusting said members, a piano case a bracket secured to thepiano case to which one of said members is clamped, means for securingthe other member to the action, and a threaded shank for adjusting theaction in relation to said member.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD A. STEEL.

Witnesses:

NELLIE KINSELLA, JAMES P. BARRY.

